Want to keep your jewelry sparkling for years to come? Everyday wear can leave buildup that dulls your favorite pieces. At Underwood Jewelers in Jacksonville & Ponte Vedra Beach, we’re experts at helping you keep your jewelry looking its best. Whether you’re tackling cleaning at home or prefer professional care, here’s what you should know. 

Guidelines for Cleaning Your Jewelry at Home

For routine cleaning, you can refresh most fine jewelry at home using simple, safe methods. One of the easiest and most effective ways is using a mild cleaning solution, like Underwood’s private label jewelry cleaner, made by Kingswood, a trusted name in jewelry care. This solution is specially formulated to remove dirt and oils without harming your valuables.

Another excellent at-home method is a Mr. Clean and water mix. Simply combine three parts water with one part Mr. Clean to create an effective DIY cleaning solution. Soak your jewelry for a few minutes, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush, rinse with lukewarm water, and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.

For sterling silver, a silver polishing cloth is the best way to restore shine without damaging the metal. To prevent tarnishing, we recommend storing silver jewelry with anti-tarnish silver strips, which help absorb moisture and slow down oxidation.

Professional Cleaning at Underwood Jewelers

While at-home cleaning works well for regular upkeep, nothing compares to a professional cleaning. At any Underwood Jewelers location, we offer free jewelry cleaning and inspection.* Our trained experts use professional-grade ultrasonic cleaners and steamers to safely remove dirt and buildup. We also check for any loose stones, worn prongs, or other potential issues to ensure your jewelry remains secure and in top condition.

How Often Should You Clean Your Jewelry?

Regular maintenance keeps your jewelry looking beautiful while also helping prevent long-term damage. The frequency of cleaning depends on how often you wear your jewelry:

• Daily Wear Pieces
  For pieces you wear constantly, like engagement rings or wedding bands, we recommend a light cleaning once a week at home and a professional cleaning every 6 months.

• Occasionally Worn Jewelry
  For special occasion pieces worn sparingly-like an heirloom necklace from your grandmother or statement earrings from your anniversary-clean them at home once a month.  We also recommend bringing them in for professional care once a year for extra TLC.

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Sterling Silver Jewelry

Polish as needed to prevent tarnish, especially if not worn regularly. And store them with silver strips, as mentioned before, so they stay shiny.

Cleaning Different Types of Jewelry

Not all jewelry should be cleaned the same way. Some gemstones and materials require extra care to avoid damage.

• Pearls & Opals
  These delicate gems should never be soaked in cleaning solutions. Instead, wipe them with a damp, soft cloth and lukewarm water after wearing to remove buildup. Store pearls separately in a soft pouch to prevent scratching.

• Rubies & Sapphires
  These durable stones can be cleaned using mild soap and warm water or a jewelry cleaning solution. A soft toothbrush can be used to remove dirt from settings.

• Emeralds
  Avoid harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners, as emeralds often contain natural inclusions that make them more fragile. Instead, gently wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap.

• Morganite
  This beautiful blush-toned gemstone is often featured in engagement rings. Morganite should be cleaned with warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, as vibrations can weaken the setting over time.

• Tanzanite
  A popular choice for statement rings and earrings, tanzanite is softer than other gemstones. Use a mild soap and lukewarm water with a soft cloth to clean it, and avoid sudden temperature changes, which can cause fractures.

• White Gold
  While yellow gold is resistant to tarnishing, white gold is plated with rhodium to maintain its bright, silvery finish. Chlorine from pools and salt from the ocean can wear down this plating, causing white gold to develop a yellow tint over time. To keep your white gold jewelry looking its best, it’s best to leave it at home when swimming and have it professionally cleaned and re-plated as needed.

When in doubt, ask a professional before cleaning your jewelry at home, so you can breathe easy knowing that you’re using the safest method for your specific gemstones. 

Stop by Underwood Jewelers for a Free Jewelry Cleaning

Proper jewelry care helps preserve the beauty and longevity of your favorite pieces as you enjoy playing in and near the ocean and sand here in Florida. Underwood Jewelers in Jacksonville is here to help! Stop by our San Marco, Ponte Vedra Beach, or Avondale location for a complimentary cleaning and inspection. We’re here to help your jewelry stay as brilliant as the day you opened the box. 

*Free cleanings at Underwood Jewelers are subject to staff availability and quantity of jewelry. If you bring in multiple pieces, we will happily provide a receipt and an estimated pickup time for your newly cleaned jewelry.